Hart keeps lead at Flying 15 Nationals

After day 2 at the UKGLOBAL Flying 15 Nationals, Mike Hart and Jeremy Davy retain the lead, but Richard Lovering/ Matt Alvarado accelerated into second place overall. Just as on Day 1, that second place is shared three ways, with plenty of other contenders poised close to the leaders.

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The first race appeared to go more to the form book. Day 1 leaders Mike Hart and Jeremy Davy took their first win of the Championship in the first race. Simon Kneller and Dave Lucas took second, with Alan Bax and James Grant climbing well into third place.

But to take this race, Hart had to pull off a dramatic recovery after being stuck in the 20s at the first windward mark, subsequently taking many places on the first run to commence his fightback.

Flying Fifteens come in all ages and construction types, and Stephen and David Crosbie showed what an old wooden example can do, driving the oldest boat in the fleet to a mid teens placing round the first mark, and holding very well to finish mid fleet.

In the second race, a new face appeared at the front as Justin Waples and Jamie Waterhouse sailed into the lead. But by the end of the second beat, Richard Lovering/ Matt Alvaredo seized the initiative, carving out a comfortable lead, which they held to the end of the race, which was shortened to a two and half lap course.

Thus all four races so far have had different winners, underlining the competitive nature of the fleet. Lovering was followed home by Steve Goacher and Phil Evans, with Ian Cadwallader and Dave Sweet making their first visit to the top three. The second race had shaken the dice, with some leading contenders taking a plunge, but the first discard has now kicked in, keeping most of the leaders in contention.